Obituaries

Pearl City

Sarah Jane Myers, 95

Sarah Jane Myers, 95, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, in Lena, Illinois. She was born to James and Stella (Wilcox) Bernnet on January 23, 1927, in Stockton, IL. She married Harold Myers on December 28, 1963, in Galena at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Sarah was employed at Micro Switch for 33 years, retiring in 1985. She was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pearl City, IL, various Bible studies, Lorans Mothers Club, Widows Club, Birthday Club, Red Hat Society, Home extension, Micro Switch Honeywell Retirement Club, as well as several card clubs.

Sarah is survived by 2 daughters- Sharon K. Freese of Mesa, AZ and Donna (Ron) Piefer of Warren, IL; grandchildren- Todd (Melissa) Freese of Midland, TX, Troy (Brandi) Freese of Mesa, AZ, Kimberly Othic of Tucson, AZ, Shelly (Jerry) Smith, Jeff (Cindy) Kopp, and Heather (Joel) Fonseca; 16 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, in-laws Frank and Edith Myers, husband Harold, infant son Charles Floyd in 1956 and grandson Chad Freese in 2017.

Funeral service took place at 11:30 am on Monday, October 10, 2022, at St John’s Lutheran Church in Pearl City, IL. Visitation was from 10:00 am until time of service. Pastor Shellie Knight officiated the service. Burial will take place at Highland Cemetery in Pearl City, IL.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Lena Living Center and Promedica Hospice for their excellent care and compassion they gave Sarah.

A memorial has been established in her name. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com

Lena

Doris L. Busch, 85

Doris L. Busch, 86, of Lena, IL passed away on Saturday, October 1,2022 in Freeport, IL. Doris was born on March 25,1936 in Kent, IL, the daughter of William and Olga (Koeller) Heid. She graduated from Stockton High School in 1954. Doris married Lloyd “Twig” Busch on October 26, 1963. She worked at Eaton Corporation and the Carter Motor Company before retiring in 2010. Doris enjoyed reading and playing Euchre. She loved hummingbirds and enjoyed collecting Pillsbury Dough Boy memorabilia.

Doris is survived by her children- Cindy (Bob) Hillary of Hanover, IL, Rhonda (Troy) Pokoj of Apple River, IL, Michael (Jolene) Busch of Ontario, WI, and Tammy (Jim) Jacobs of Browntown, WI; grandchildren- Angie (Chris) Donar, Greg (Lindsey) Duerr, Shanna (Jon) Grossen, Jordan (Radmila) Pokoj, Taylor (Ethan) Law, Chase (Delia) Pokoj, Jeremy Busch, Michaela Busch, Alec Erdman, Kimberly (Dalton) Wateski; Joseph Geach, Kelsie Geach, Nicole Jacobs, Aaron Jacobs, Jordan Jacobs, great-grandchildren- Kaylee, Anna, Katie, Reba, Kaden, Parker, Brenna, Braelyn, Graeson, Kyerah, Ariyah, Luna, Maverick and Kaylie; her sisters- Velda Schoenfeld, Joyce Keenan and Bonnie Anderson;-sisters-in-law, Linda Heid, Arlene Outzen, Betty Rose, Betty Jane and Darlene Busch and thirty-three nieces and nephews.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lloyd “Twig” Busch and his parents, her sisters Linda Outzen and Maralee Thomas, brothers Galen Heid and Sheldon Heid, brothers-in-law-George Keenan, Ralph Schoenfeld, Pierre Outzen, Mike Anderson, Roger, Elmer, “Hommie”, Delmar, Keith and Larry Busch and sister-in-law Audrey Watson, two nephews and once niece.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Private family services will be held.

Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.leamonfh.com.

Hanover

Pearl I. Hamil, 81

Pearl I. Hamil, age 81, of Hanover, IL, passed away September 28, 2022 at her son’s home in Winnebago,IL. A funeral service was held Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 12pm at the Hanover United Methodist Church. Visitation took place at the church from 10am to 12pm. Family and friends are invited to share in Pearl’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Pearl was born March 29, 1941, in Wabasha, MN, the daughter of Martin R. and Melba I. (Sarff) Murphy Wolbers. She attended Hanover schools, graduating from Hanover High School with the class of 1959. She soon graduated from Sterling School of Cosmetology as a beautician. In 1961, Pearl married Calvin “Dick” Hamil, and it wasn’t long until they began raising a family. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage before Dick’s passing, earlier this year.

Pearl was a devoted wife and mother and played the role of homemaker while her children were young. In the late 1970’s, she decided it was time to open her own beauty shop. She ran her business out of her home for several years. She never gave up on those homemaker duties, however, often cooking and baking to the delight of her children and eventually, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She baked some the tastiest treats you’ve ever had, and her pies were world-class. In addition to her talents in the kitchen, she was also quite the seamstress, often making clothing for her family, and creating works through crochet and needlepoint.

Family and faith dominated Pearl’s life. She was a devout Christian and volunteered for just about everything imaginable within her church. If there was a church event, you could be sure Pearl was ready to help; including picnics, church choir, and bake sales. In Pearl’s eyes, family and faith came together to form the foundation for all of life’s blessings.

Pearl will be dearly missed by her daughters, Victoria (Luke) Wiederholt, of Hazel Green, WI and Kristina Keck of Dubuque, IA; son, Gregory (Michelle) Hamil, of Winnebago, IL; nine grandchildren, Kailey, Lacie, Tanner, Cameron, Kierra, Jonathan, Noah, Brandon, and Chandler; seven great-grandchildren, Beau, Quade, Waylon, Journee, Jett, Delcie, and Maxon; sister, Lynda L. Carson, of Hanover; brothers, Martin L. Murphy, of Hanover and Dennis (Ingrid) Wolbers, of Lanark, IL; as well as many extended family members. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick; parents, Martin and Melba and step father,Lee Wolbers ; sister Patricia (Duane) Smith; great grandson, Henry (infant); and parents-in-law, Harvey and Arlene Hamil.

Jeffrey Rae Pattera, 67

Jeffrey Rae Pettera, age 67, of Hanover, Illinois passed away suddenly Monday, October 3, 2022, at home. A funeral service will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the Law Jones Funeral Home, Hanover. Visitation was held from 4 – 7 pm Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. Memorials may be given in Jeffrey’s honor.

Jeffrey was born March 7, 1955, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Lawrence and Florence “Darlene” (Wilkinson) Pettera. He is a 1973 graduate of the Hanover High School. On August 11, 1973, Jeffrey married Janet Marie Clarke in East Dubuque. They have celebrated 49 years of marriage.

He loved yardwork, woodworking, listening to old country music (especially Johnny Cash) and gardening with family out in the country. His neighbors loved him, he was always helping everyone out. He was a good man. His family and friends enjoyed his unique sense of humor. Jeffrey dearly loved spending time with the old-timers club during happy hour at the Bootlegger.

Jeffrey was a hard worker, working for Eaton Corporation in Hanover, Drives in Fulton, and then Metform in Savanna, retiring in 2014.

Jeffrey is survived by his wife, Janet of Hanover; three children, Sabrina (Eddie Stine) Pettera of Hanover, Anthony “Tony” Pettera of Loves Park, and Gary Pettera of Hanover; seven grandchildren, Desiree, Gavin, Nicholas, Bryanna, Sophia, Jackson and Mycah; his mother-in-law, Barbara Clarke of Dubuque; three brothers, Bernie (Fay) Pettera of Hanover, Brian Pettera of Hanover, and Jerry Pettera of Lanark, Illinois; two sisters, Gina (Marty Gibson) Kennedy of Hanover and Susie (Steve) Groharing of Hanover; and a great grandson on the way due in January.

Jeffrey was preceded in death by an infant son, Nicholas; a stillborn son; both parents; a brother Roger (Rose) Pettera; a sister-in-law, Jacqueline Schroeder; aunt, Zonia “Cookie” Ryniewicz; father-in-law, Jerry Clarke; and several aunts and uncles.